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Awards go to Cannon's finest

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Maynelinne De La Cruz
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 2009 Annual Awards ceremony, held at The Landing Zone Feb. 20 here, paid tribute to the men and women, Airman and civilian, for their outstanding leadership and service. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Richard Comer, accompanied by the 27th Special Operations Wing commander, Col. Stephen Clark and Chief Master Sgt. William Turner, wing command chief, presented the awards.

With 41 nominees, eight walked across the stage taking home their 2009 trophies while five others were deployed. 

"Air Force Special Operations Command is more than a regular base. Cannon, at any given time, has 25 percent of its Airmen defending our country all while standing up the 27th SOW in record time, said Mr. Comer. "That's more than what other bases could say about themselves."

The following Airmen and civilians were recognized for their contributions;
2009 annual winners:

Airman of the Year -  Senior Airman William McCabe (27th Special Operations Mission Support Group) )
NCO of the Year - Staff Sgt. Jay Galea (27th Special Operations Group) 
Team Cannon NCO of the Year - Tech Sgt. Nicholas Armitage (551st Special Operations Squadron)   
Senior NCO of the Year - Senior Master Sgt.  Lyle Winnicki (27th Special Operations Maintenance Group)
Company Grade Officer of the Year - Capt Wesley Alderman (27 SOMXG)
First Sgt. of the Year - Master Sgt Robert Tibi (27 SOMXG)
Additional Duty First Sgt. of the Year - Master Sgt. Paul McGrory (27 SOMSG)
Category I Civilian of the Year -  John  Olivarez (27 SOMSG)
Cat II Civilian of the the Year -   April May (27 SOG)
Cat III Civilian of the Year -  Barry King (SOMSG)

Following are the nominees for the volunteer of the year program;   

Airman  Volunteer of the Year: 
Senior Airman John Rheaume
NCO  Volunteer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Michael  Roxberry Jr. 
Family Member Volunteer of the Year 
Ginger LaTour

All nominees were recognized Feb. 19 at the Medallion Ceremony that was also held at The Landing Zone.

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